What the Church Could Learn From Microsoft
- Posted by: Todd
- Posted on: Mon, September 17, 2007
- Viewed 64
- (19) comments so far
1). Hire the Best People—(how many churches hire poorly and then really pay for it? Hire the best people the first time by doing your homework and searching high and low for your next staff member)
2). Bet the Company’s (church’s) Future On Big Opportunities —(that’s called ‘risk’… something many churches NEVER do!)
3). Expect People To fail & Learn from Their Mistakes—(many times, we don’t allow people to make mistakes; many times we don’t allow people enough authority and ownership to make mistakes. I think it has something to do with #2 (our aversion to risk))
4). Insure that Managers Can Do the Work of the People That Report To Them—(this goes to ‘competence’… again, hire well; hire competence… ministry should be a team effort; not a ‘that’s his area and I know nothing about it’ thing)
5). Evaluate People Only On Their Recent Performance— (boy, I see this often… when a staff person fails (see #3), he/she is doomed. Forgive and give another chance. Restore and encourage. Allow for growth and encouragement. You may be surprised what people can pull off!)
6). Spend Money Frugally—(Many churches are frugal because they have to be. Others spend money like it’s going out of style. Make sure your spending match’s your vision and purpose… otherwise you might as well throw it out into the street)
7). Manage A Large Company (church) Like A Collection of Small, Independent Companies (churches) —(I think we’re starting to see this happen more these days)
8). Know What Is Actually Going On In the Company—(again, ministry is a team thing… be sure you know what’s happening in other areas, not just your own.)
9). Establish an “esprit de cour” (a spirit of cooperation) to motivate People To Superior Performance—(isn’t this biblical?)
10). Never Make Your Employees Put Up with Stupid Rules—(ok… be honest… does your church have any stupid rules? Why?)
11). Create an Office Atmosphere That’s Like a Home Away from Home— (people always work best when they’re comfortable)
12). (a rule specific to Microsoft’s environment): Focus On Total World Domination—(OK… ‘world domination’ sounds a little strong; but in our ‘business’ it would be a great thing, wouldn’t it? To see the church and Christ’s impact on the world increase would be awesome.)
OK… that’s the end of my Microsoft rant…
Have a great day; Minister in a way today that would make Jesus proud!
Todd
I think I can read your mind right now. “There is SO MUCH wrong with this title… and we should not in ever compare the church to Microsoft.” (Some of you Apply folks out there aren’t able to utter ‘Microsoft’ and ‘church’ in the same sentence! I can just read the comments now… Some will immediately think something like, "The church is NOT a business" or "The church is already too much like business" or "We just need to preach the Bible and not ever bring 'business' into the church." Well, before you go off on me, please hear me out. I saw this list over at Casual Mondays, and thought that here are a few 'business' practices that many churches would be wise to adopt. Don't call them 'business' principles, if you like. Call them something totally different... but wouldn't more churches be healthier and accomplish more for the Kingdom if they adhered to some or all of the things on this list? (Also, please don't over-spiritualize this list... it's not a theological doctrine statement of a church... just a list of helpful practices). All those disclaimers out of the way, see what you think I'll put some of my comments in parenthesis). This is how Microsoft keeps going and growing into the world leader in computers...
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IndyChristian on Mon, September 17, 2007
Too fat a pitch… too little time to swing.
So let me only mention the obvious… we’re too much like MSFT already. We’ve had our day, resting on our laurels, have moved from innovators to gatekeepers, and as a result, aren’t even keeping pace with the market any more (much less gaining on our target.
Eric Joppa on Mon, September 17, 2007
Tye Male?
Is that the Tye I know from FBC Medina?
email me if you are…
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music director on Mon, September 17, 2007
This is great. The toughest where I’m at are #2, 8,9, 10, & 11.
James on Mon, September 17, 2007
Hey Todd;
I think #4 can go two ways. I’m a ministry leader. I can do the work, but if I have a person running sound who is an expert and has a passion, doesn’t it seem logical to see him do it than me?
Also I can do secretarial work and have for years, but that’s a huge chunk of time folding letters and mailing them. I think someone else can do that better.
One more, I do a lot of moving stage equipment off and on the stage because our Pastor likes “new” appearances. So instead of learning new music, rehearsing etc. I’m mailing letters, moving furniture and running the sound board. I can do all that, but I think my call was to lead and train people in worship.
I believe scripture says that part of leadership is to equip the saints for the work of service. I’m suggesting that we can do it all, but good leadership delegates, oversees, trains and equips rather than doing it all or at least a lot of it.
#4 has me questioning the flip side of “doing”.
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